Edinburg, Illinois, United States presents a moderately favorable location for year-round solar energy generation, though with significant seasonal variations typical of the Northern Temperate Zone climate.

Seasonal Solar Performance

The solar energy output at this location shows dramatic seasonal swings. Summer delivers the strongest performance at 6.54 kWh per day per kW of installed solar capacity, making it the ideal time for solar generation. Spring follows as the second-best season with 5.32 kWh per day per kW, offering excellent solar conditions as daylight hours increase and weather improves. Autumn sees a notable decline to 3.72 kWh per day per kW as the sun's angle decreases and weather patterns change. Winter presents the most challenging conditions with only 2.25 kWh per day per kW, representing less than half of spring's output and barely one-third of summer's peak performance. For optimal year-round energy production from a fixed panel installation at this location, solar panels should be tilted at 34 degrees facing south. This angle maximizes total annual solar output by accounting for the sun's varying position throughout the seasons.

Local Factors Affecting Solar Production

Several environmental and weather factors in central Illinois can significantly impact solar energy generation:

• Snow accumulation: Winter snow can completely block solar panels, eliminating energy production until cleared
• Ice formation: Freezing rain and ice storms common in Illinois winters can coat panels and reduce efficiency
• Agricultural dust: The surrounding farmland generates significant dust during planting and harvest seasons
• Severe weather: Illinois experiences thunderstorms, tornadoes, and hail that can damage solar installations
• High humidity: Summer humidity can create haze that reduces solar irradiance

Preventative Measures for Better Performance

Several installation strategies can help maximize solar energy production despite these challenges:

• Steeper panel angles: Installing panels at angles steeper than the optimal 34 degrees helps snow slide off more easily
• Quality mounting systems: Robust mounting designed for high winds and potential hail damage
• Regular cleaning schedules: Planned cleaning during dusty agricultural seasons maintains panel efficiency
• Accessible installation: Designing systems that allow safe snow removal and maintenance access
• Micro-inverters or power optimizers: These minimize production losses when individual panels are partially shaded or dirty

The location offers reasonable solar potential during spring and summer months, but the harsh winters and agricultural environment require careful planning and maintenance to achieve optimal performance year-round.

Note: The Northern Temperate Zone extends from 35° latitude North up to 66.5° latitude.

So far, we have conducted calculations to evaluate the solar photovoltaic (PV) potential in 4253 locations across the United States. This analysis provides insights into each city/location's potential for harnessing solar energy through PV installations.

Link: Solar PV potential in the United States by location

Solar output per kW of installed solar PV by season in Edinburg, Illinois

Seasonal solar PV output for Latitude: 39.664, Longitude: -89.3808 (Edinburg, Illinois, United States), based on our analysis of 8760 hourly intervals of solar and meteorological data (one whole year) retrieved for that set of coordinates/location from NASA POWER (The Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources) API:

 

Ideally tilt fixed solar panels 34° South in Edinburg, Illinois, United States

To maximize your solar PV system's energy output in Edinburg, Illinois, United States (Lat/Long 39.664, -89.3808) throughout the year, you should tilt your panels at an angle of 34° South for fixed panel installations.

As the Earth revolves around the Sun each year, the maximum angle of elevation of the Sun varies by +/- 23.45 degrees from its equinox elevation angle for a particular latitude. Finding the exact optimal angle to maximise solar PV production throughout the year can be challenging, but with careful consideration of historical solar energy and meteorological data for a certain location, it can be done precisely.

We use our own calculation, which incorporates NASA solar and meteorological data for the exact Lat/Long coordinates, to determine the ideal tilt angle of a solar panel that will yield maximum annual solar output. We calculate the optimal angle for each day of the year, taking into account its contribution to the yearly total PV potential at that specific location.

Seasonally adjusted solar panel tilt angles for Edinburg, Illinois, United States

If you can adjust the tilt angle of your solar PV panels, please refer to the seasonal tilt angles below for optimal solar energy production in Edinburg, Illinois, United States. As mentioned earlier, for fixed-panel solar PV installations, it is optimal to maintain a 34° South tilt angle throughout the year.

Overall Best Summer Angle	Overall Best Autumn Angle	Overall Best Winter Angle	Overall Best Spring Angle
24° South in Summer	44° South in Autumn	54° South in Winter	33° South in Spring

Our recommendations take into account more than just latitude and Earth's position in its elliptical orbit around the Sun. We also incorporate historical solar and meteorological data from NASA's Prediction of Worldwide Energy Resources (POWER) API to assign a weight to each ideal angle for each day based on its historical contribution to overall solar PV potential during a specific season.

This approach allows us to provide much more accurate recommendations than relying solely on latitude, as it considers unique weather conditions in different locations sharing the same latitude worldwide.

Calculate solar panel row spacing in Edinburg, Illinois, United States

We've added a feature to calculate minimum solar panel row spacing by location. Enter your panel size and orientation below to get the minimum spacing in Edinburg, Illinois, United States.

Our calculation method

1. Solar Position:
   We determine the Sun's position on the Winter solstice using the location's latitude and solar declination.
2. Shadow Projection:
   We calculate the shadow length cast by panels using trigonometry, considering panel tilt and the Sun's elevation angle.
3. Minimum Spacing:
   We add the shadow length to the horizontal space occupied by tilted panels.

This approach ensures maximum space efficiency while avoiding shading during critical times, as the Winter solstice represents the worst-case scenario for shadow length.

Topography for solar PV around Edinburg, Illinois, United States

Topographical Features Around Edinburg

The landscape surrounding Edinburg, Illinois is characterized by gently rolling prairie terrain typical of central Illinois. This region sits within the Illinois River valley system, where the topography has been shaped by glacial activity over thousands of years. The area features relatively modest elevation changes, with the land gradually undulating across agricultural fields and scattered woodlands. The immediate vicinity consists primarily of flat to gently sloping farmland, with elevations that vary gradually rather than dramatically. Small creeks and drainage ways cut shallow channels through the landscape, creating minor depressions and ridges that add subtle variation to an otherwise relatively uniform terrain. The Illinois River valley influences the broader regional topography, though Edinburg itself sits on slightly higher ground away from the immediate floodplain.

Optimal Areas for Large-Scale Solar Development

The topographical characteristics of this region present several advantages for large-scale solar photovoltaic installations. The extensive flat and gently rolling agricultural lands provide ideal conditions for solar arrays, as these areas require minimal grading and earthwork during construction. The consistent, gradual slopes found throughout much of the surrounding countryside offer excellent drainage while maintaining optimal angles for solar panel positioning. Agricultural fields that extend for considerable distances without significant elevation changes would be particularly well-suited for solar development. These areas typically have few obstructions such as trees or buildings that could create shading issues. The open prairie landscape also allows for consistent wind patterns that help keep solar panels cool and operating efficiently. Areas with south-facing gentle slopes would be especially favorable, as they naturally provide optimal orientation for solar collection throughout the day. The relatively stable soil conditions common to this glacially-influenced region provide good foundation support for solar mounting systems, reducing installation complexity and costs. The absence of steep terrain or significant topographical barriers means that large solar installations could be developed with minimal environmental disruption. The existing agricultural road network and relatively flat terrain also facilitate easier access for construction equipment and ongoing maintenance operations, making this region well-suited for utility-scale solar projects.

United States solar PV Stats as a country

United States ranks 2nd in the world for cumulative solar PV capacity, with 95,209 total MW's of solar PV installed. This means that 3.40% of United States's total energy as a country comes from solar PV (that's 26th in the world). Each year United States is generating 289 Watts from solar PV per capita (United States ranks 15th in the world for solar PV Watts generated per capita). [source]

Are there incentives for businesses to install solar in United States?

Yes, there are several incentives for businesses wanting to install solar energy in the United States. These include federal tax credits, state and local rebates, net metering policies, and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Additionally, many states have enacted legislation that requires utilities to purchase a certain amount of electricity from renewable sources such as solar.

Do you have more up to date information than this on incentives towards solar PV projects in United States? Please reach out to us and help us keep this information current. Thanks!

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Compare this location to others worldwide for solar PV potential

The solar PV analyses available on our website, including this one, are offered as a free service to the global community. Our aim is to provide education and aid informed decision-making regarding solar PV installations.

However, please note that these analyses are general guidance and may not meet specific project requirements. For in-depth, tailored forecasts and analysis crucial for feasibility studies or when pursuing maximum ROI from your solar projects, feel free to contact us; we offer comprehensive consulting services expressly for this purpose.

Helping you assess viability of solar PV for your site

Calculate Your Optimal Solar Panel Tilt Angle: A Comprehensive Guide

Enhance your solar panel's performance with our in-depth guide. Determine the best tilt angle using hard data, debunk common misunderstandings, and gain insight into how your specific location affects solar energy production.